Moparts
Polara 500 engine
Posted By: moon
Polara 500 engine - 11/10/10 02:15 AM
I recently bought a 62 Dodge Polara 500 and Im trying to figure out what engine it has. My only problem is the numbers and letters on the block make no sense. Doesnt say 361 or 383. It says H4O across the top then a 3 and then on the other side an 8 and below an E.
H 4 O
3 8
E
Posted By: Mopar_Country
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/10/10 02:20 AM
Look on the front of the engine right below the head on the driver side. Let us know what you see.
Posted By: 474218
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/10/10 02:54 AM
The 361 was standard in 1962 Dodge Plolara's.
The 383 was not offered!
Posted By: pushbutton
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/10/10 03:19 AM
S 36=361
S 38=383
S 41=413 These are 62# 63 same except T before #
Right side of block below dist. 383's were offered,not sure if in a Polara.
Posted By: John_Kunkel
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/10/10 10:19 PM
Quote:
H 4 O
3 8
E
H is the year code for 1972 so it is a '72 400 built on March 8, 1972; the E means it has a cast crank.
wouldnt it be easier to just look at the side of the block and get the casting #.It should say the engine size and year.
Posted By: AndyF
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/11/10 12:49 AM
Yep, sounds like a '72 400 has been swapped in there. Crawl underneath and see if there is a VIN stamp on the pad. Depending on how dirty the motor is you might also be able to see the casting number and/or date.
If the engine has a cast crank damper then that should be a clue that it is from a later model car.
Posted By: moon
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/11/10 02:27 AM
Im positive the car is a 1962 Dodge Polara 500, so it wasnt made in 1972. Its a 1 owner car, Im the 2nd. It has a steel crank and small harmonic balancer. Still has the points distributor, small port AFB carb, original air cleaner and it still has bolt-up tranny6 front drive line. Ill look under the car tomorrow to fund more numbers. Thanks for comments so far.
Posted By: AndyF
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/11/10 03:20 AM
Something could've happened to the original engine block and all the parts were swapped over to a later model block. If the block says H40 with an E on the ID pad then that is most likely a '72 400. Either that or someone restamped an original block with some odd numbers. Sounds like you won't know what you have until you look at the casting numbers.
Posted By: moon
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/11/10 04:40 AM
Couldnt stand the wait so I braved the cold and wind to get the numbers off the underside of the block. 36142302 is what I found, so I believe I found a 361BB
Posted By: AndyF
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/11/10 05:29 AM
No, that is a 1972 400 that you have. 3614230 is a 1971-72 400 block. Someone swapped in a later model engine at some point.
Posted By: 440fied
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/11/10 05:29 AM
Quote:
Couldnt stand the wait so I braved the cold and wind to get the numbers off the underside of the block. 36142302 is what I found, so I believe I found a 361BB
That block is a 1971-1972 400. The casting number should actually read like this 3614230-2. The "-2" is a mold number and not generally cited when mentioning the rest of the casting number.
Some of these "230" 400 blocks are pretty desirable, but it depends greatly on the casting date and if it will pass a sonic test on the cylinder walls.
Check your casting date, it will be on the driver's side next to head/deck surface. 
Posted By: 1_WILD_RT
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/11/10 05:31 AM
Quote:
Couldnt stand the wait so I braved the cold and wind to get the numbers off the underside of the block. 36142302 is what I found, so I believe I found a 361BB
If it were a 361 the block casting # would be 2205712
3614230-2 is a 71-72 400
Posted By: moon
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/11/10 03:53 PM
Well you all may be right, I never asked the old lady if it had an engine swap. They bought it new and I didnt see any changes when I looked at it. I guess its still worth the $2000 I paid for it. Thanks for all your help guys.
Posted By: moon
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/11/10 03:55 PM
Here are a few pics of my car
Posted By: moon
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/11/10 03:56 PM
And the interior of the 62
Posted By: moon
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/11/10 03:57 PM
At least the engine runs fine...
Posted By: 6T4 Polara
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/11/10 04:10 PM
Good buy enjoy your new car.
John
Posted By: mikemee1331
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/11/10 05:26 PM
very nice!
Posted By: 440fied
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/11/10 07:02 PM
Quote:
Nice car!
Posted By: Mr. T
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/12/10 02:15 AM
That really looks like a beautiful car. I can't tell from the pictures, is it a 2 door or 4?
Posted By: thehemikid
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/12/10 04:19 AM
Quote:
Well you all may be right, I never asked the old lady if it had an engine swap. They bought it new and I didnt see any changes when I looked at it. I guess its still worth the $2000 I paid for it. Thanks for all your help guys.
...You got a very good deal! ...Very!
Posted By: pushbutton
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/12/10 05:29 AM
Great looking ride,you done good.
Posted By: moon
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/12/10 09:46 AM
Its a 2dr hardtop
Posted By: Commando1
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/12/10 01:57 PM
I really, REALLY,
REALLY, hate you Arizona guys...
Posted By: 62maxwgn
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/12/10 02:18 PM
Quote:
I really, REALLY, REALLY, hate you Arizona guys...
Especially when they steal stuff! 
Posted By: moon
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/12/10 10:55 PM
Steal what???
Posted By: 62maxwgn
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/12/10 10:59 PM
Quote:
Steal what???
For 2K,you stole the car. 
Posted By: moon
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/13/10 12:15 AM
It had been sitting it a shed for 12yrs since her husband died. so Im just lucky that this 82 yr old woman felt I was the best option over her own kids to have it. The kids would've just sold it off or ruined it. She knew I would take care of the it and boy will I!!!
Posted By: fourgearsavoy
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/13/10 12:24 AM
Thats the same deal with my Savoy,I bought it from a 91 year old man for $450.00 with a handshake saying I wouldn't sell it until I was too old to drive it anymore(my wife says it's too fast for me now)
Good luck with your ride and I would build a stroker from the engine in it now
Gus
Posted By: moon
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/13/10 02:11 AM
Those stories are always the best and you know there are more out there. My wife (mean woman)is mad at me for even thinking about changing anything on it, not sure if I will.
Posted By: Alexdodge
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/13/10 02:24 AM
what is the gauge on the lower side of the dash behind the steering wheel???
Great find! And an even better buy!
I've been waiting in the wings on a similar deal. 75 y.o. widow I know of still has her husbands car in the garage...... A '67 Mustang fastback, GT 390 4-speed in red on black. I knock on her door every time Im in the area. Maybe someday the answer will be different?
Posted By: moon
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/13/10 02:53 AM
Its a mechanical oil pressure gauge, the old man put it in. Along with the trailer plug in the rear, because he towed a boat so he could go fishing.
Posted By: Mopar Grandpa
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/13/10 11:53 AM
My first car when I was 16 was a '62 Dodge Dart, same car just different trim. Had a lot of fun in that car but mine had a 361.
If I didn't have 2 other classics I'd want to buy that Polara from you!!!!!! Nice car, a good buy.
Posted By: Commando1
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/13/10 02:35 PM
Quote:
Great find! And an even better buy!
I've been waiting in the wings on a similar deal.
Me too. Except the guy is younger than me!
We'll see who wins...
Posted By: Mr. T
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/13/10 02:52 PM
I also bought my car from a senior citizen. I've had it about 22 years now. If I keep it much longer, the next person that buys it, will be buying it from a senior citizen too.
Posted By: John_Kunkel
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/13/10 10:02 PM
Quote:
Its a mechanical oil pressure gauge, the old man put it in.
It's a shame he cut the dash, installing a 2 1/16" OP gauge in the unused clock position is really simple; the plastic dummy gauge just happens to be 2 1/16" inside diameter.
Posted By: Alexdodge
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/14/10 03:02 AM
WOW!!! Thanks John, now I know what to do with my unused clock spot since I can't find a clock for it. Alex
Posted By: moon
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/14/10 09:37 PM
Guess the old guy had a good idea, just glad its a spot that was probably already there
Posted By: moon
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/17/10 03:37 AM
Now for some more interesting news...I found a 361BB (2205712) in CA. He wants $300
Posted By: moon
Re: Polara 500 engine - 11/17/10 07:29 PM
the block I found has S36 then HP and the bottom looks like a 2. Is the bottom supposed to be a letter or number? What does the HP mean? Also does anyone know about these engines?
